•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   

Last week was Otterly Mad Week, which aimed to raise global awareness about the aquatic mammal. In Indonesia, the Asian Short-Clawed Otter is still an unprotected species.
It is something of a miracle that last year a 6-week-old otter was found on a housing estate in South Jakarta. Nessie was taken in and cared for until a rescue center could be found. Shy by nature, he agreed to speak up about living in Jakarta and why it’s time to leave.
Aren’t you a bit out of place in the city?

Not at all. My family moves around more in the evenings than they would in the country, but that’s the same for most city folks isn’t it? Besides, if we sit in the fields and the forest long enough, the city comes to us!

What’s your favorite food to eat here in Jakarta?

Snails probably, but they’re not much of a challenge. I keep the empty shells to play with when I’m a bit fed up. Tiny fish are more fun, and I like hunting crabs and crickets — anything that you can chase, really.

So you catch all your own food?

No, because I’m not free. It can be very frustrating when your lunch runs past you and you can’t open the pen door to catch it. My keeper helps out with bits of fish and chicken and I’m very partial to boiled quails egg.

You look like you can take care of yourself, why aren’t you free?

I couldn’t take care of myself when I was separated from my family — I couldn’t even swim. By the time I grew into the fine figure before you, I’d been exposed to humans too much to go back onto those mean streets. We’ve had to wait to find somewhere more secluded.

Yes, you are quite buff. How do you keep in shape?

For the first few months I kept fit by swimming in the keeper’s bath, wrecking the house and chasing the children. Eventually, they built me an outside pen where I could hunt, fish, dig holes, swim, play and make mud slides. For relaxation I spent time with my cute little lady cat friend and every evening I’d go a few rounds with the family dog.

So you’re really a pet then?

Far from it! I’m a wild animal. Why do you think you had to wear these rubber boots for the interview?

I thought we might be going swimming …

Naw! It’s in case I feel the need to take a bite out of you. Normally, of course, an otter wouldn’t go near a human, far less bite them, but I’ve had a pretty unusual upbringing. That can make me unpredictable because I can’t always work out what you humans are up to. Though I’m a big, handsome brute of an otter, you have to admit that by comparison you’re a bit of a monster. Anyway, despite my inclinations when you make sudden clumsy movements, I normally manage to restrain myself. Our advisers think it wouldn’t be good PR if I chased you round the room.

Your advisers?

Sure, the International Otter Survival Fund and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Otter Specialist Group are both working for me. I can be a bit of a challenge, so the keeper sometimes needs advice.

How do you mean?

Well, would you know what to feed me if you found me in the street? How to deal with my highly strung, wild nature? Would you know that I need companionship as much as I need food? And would you know that I’d like to spin by my teeth from your handbag straps till I’m dizzy and fall off?

Would you?

Oh, yes.

It sounds like you’re got it pretty good here in the city, why do you want to leave Jakarta?

Family and freedom. Us Short-Claws never choose to live alone. We stay with our kids and take care of the missus. Not a deadbeat dad among us. I’m alive, but I’m not living the life.

And you think you can find all that by a change of scenery?

Not straight away. The keeper found Cikananga, a rescue and rehabilitation center near Sukabumi, where they already have two otters. I’m going through an introduction program whereby the keepers hope we’ll all get together as a little family.

And how’s it going?

Slowly, but I do like Lenci the female. Man, is she the boss! And Merci, he’s a funny little guy; best dance moves I’ve ever seen.

So what’s next?

Well, if we all manage to get along together, those good people at Cikananga are going to build us a big natural enclosure, wean us off boiled eggs and human contact, and maybe eventually we can be free.

And do you think you can regain that wild streak?

Well I’m torn between biting your leg and making up to Lenci. I’m sure I’m in there, I know she’s been watching me strut my stuff. So what do you think?

Ow!

Sorry …

If you would like to help out Nessie or any of the other animals at the wildlife center, check out cikanangawildlifecenter.org online.